NEWSFLASH

ROMBLON TO GET IRRIGATION

Romblon, March 26, 2000 - Romblon to get irrigation, Erap assures President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada assured farmers in Romblon province over the weekend of support for an irrigation system intended to boost agricultural productivity in the province.

The President said irrigation remains one of his top priorities as it contributes to agricultural modernization and food security.

"Huwag kang mag-alala at prayoridad ng aking pamahalaan ang makapagbigay ng maayos na irrigation (Don’t worry irrigation is a top priority of my administration)," he said.

But he said local residents also have to do their part by bringing their case to the attention of local agriculture and irrigation authorities.

Mr. Estrada learned of the problem after a retired policeman in the province asked him to provide the province with an adequate irrigation system.

The retired policeman aired his request on the President’s weekly radio program.

In response, the President advised the policeman to organize his neighbors and have them file a petition with the Regional Irrigation System in Laguna.

They can also bring their case to the Presidential Action Center (PACE), which can forward it to the Department of Agriculture (DA) or the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

"Iorganisa ninyo ang inyong magsasaka at kailangang gumawa ng isang resolution. Ipadala inyo sa ating regional director, Regional Irrigation System sa Laguna para mabigyan kayo ng action ang problema ninyo sa irrigation. At dalhan ninyo ako ng kopya sa PACE para maendorso natin yan sa DA at dito kay Col. Arevalo sa NIA (Get organized and make a resolution. Bring it to the regional office or to the PACE. I will have it followed up with the DA or with NIA administrator Manuel Arevalo)," he said.

Food security is one of the President’s five centerpiece programs. The others are mass housing, peace and order, the fight against graft and corruption, and electoral reforms.